Aprilia MotoGP rider Scott Redding will make a switch to the British Superbike Championship in 2019 after signing a deal to join the PBM Ducati outfit.
Redding's MotoGP future came into serious doubt only a handful of races into his debut campaign with the factory Aprilia squad, as the Briton struggled for results aboard the RS-GP.
Aprilia confirmed he would be replaced by outgoing Suzuki man Andrea Iannone prior to the Dutch round in June, with Redding contemplating a return to Moto2, as well as moves to World Superbikes and a role as Aprilia test rider.
Linked with Paul Bird's team in BSB for some time, the announcement last week of current PBM rider Glen Irwin would be joining Bournemouth Kawasaki paved the way for Redding's move, which the Briton confirming the move on social media on Wednesday.
“I will be joining PBM Motorsport for next year racing the British Superbike Championship,” Redding began in a short announcement video.
“I'm really excited about it, there are a lot of new things I need to adapt to: new tyres, new bike, new circuits, loads of crazy stuff, which makes me really excited.
“It's a new challenge, and I love that part. Let's see how we get on.”
Redding stepped up to the premier class in 2014 with Gresini as reigning Moto2 runner-up, before switching to Marc VDS Honda the following season, where he scored his maiden podium in a rain-lashed Misano races.
He moved to the Pramac squad for 2016, remaining with the Ducati customer for two campaigns, before making a return to the now Aprilia-backed Gresini squad when he lost his seat to Jack Miller.
Redding currently sits 21st in the standings and last of the factory runners having scored just 12 points, with a season-best finish of 12th so far.
Bird ran a team in MotoGP from 2012 to 2014 under CRT and Open class regulations, with Briton and current BSB runner James Ellison securing the team's best finish of ninth in '12 in Malaysia and Valencia.
Redding's fellow Brit Bradley Smith will join Aprilia next season as its test rider, after he lost his place at KTM following a tough '17 and start to his '18 campaign.
